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ALL DAY No. A0303-248 Sept. 7 (strenuous) AT Sequence Hike: 8:00 AM Spivey Gap to Nolichucky River Hike 11, Drive 110, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Paul Benson 667-4279 pbenson@buncombe.main.nc.us An AT sequence hike on the first section north of CMC’s maintenance sections. This hike features beautiful woods and striking views of the Nolichucky Gorge as we drop down to the end point at the hostel at the Nolichucky River. Topo: Chestoa

ALL DAY No. A0303-249 Sept. 7 (moderate) Buckeye Gap and 8:00 AM Haywood Gap Trails Circuit Hike 9, Drive 80, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B John Pawcio 299-8126 jpawcio@tycovalves.com Our hike is in the Middle Prong Wilderness area, so is limited to 10 hikers. Please call the leader for reservations. The trails are primarily old railroad grades with interesting relics from the old lumber camps. From Buckeye Gap, we will descend on the old RR grade to our grassy lunch spot, then climb along the Haywood Gap Stream to the MST and follow the MST back to the starting point. Topo: Sam Knob

All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com , with the assistance of Tom Sanders. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

HALF DAY No. 8079 Sept. 7 Mt. Pisgah from Pisgah Inn 1:30 PM Hike 5, Drive 30, ~1000 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Elisabeth Feil - 684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com We'll start this car shuttle hike on the Pisgah Inn parking lot, follow the MST for 1.6 miles and climb to Mt. Pisgah with its renowned (almost) 360° view. The hike ends at Mt. Pisgah parking lot. Dinner at Inn optional. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn parking lot near filling station.

Half Day hikes submitted by Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719. For the next schedule, please call Anita and Richard Walkey, 681-2967, with suggestions. Leaders: Mail sign-up sheets to this quarter's scheduler. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.

ALL DAY No. 8067 September 10 MST-Forest Service 9:00 A.M. Road 316, Black Balsam to Skinny Dip Falls Hike 6-7, Drive 7, Rated B-B Siro A. DelFavero, 277-2546 Starting at Black Balsam, we’ll hike to the lower falls at Graveyard Fields for lunch. Then we’ll go on to Skinny Dip Falls and end at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. Car shuttle. Meeting place: Looking Glass Rock Overlook at Milepost 417.

ALL DAY No. 8068 September 17 Pisgah Ridge Loop 9:00 A.M. Hike 7.5, Drive 15, Rated B-B Kathie Giddings, 696-9808 kmgiddings@juno.com This is a rescheduling of a recent hike that was re-routed because of a Parkway closing. Starting at the Graveyard Fields parking lot, we will follow the Pisgah Ridge Trail to the MST, and lunch at a beautiful overlook. Then we’ll proceed on the Graveyard Ridge Trail to the parking lot. This hike has nice views along the way. Meeting place: Cold Mountain Overlook at Wagon Road Gap parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Hwy. 276. Topo: Sam Knob/Shining Rock.

Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Kenneth & Carol Deal, 281-4530, KMCDeal@aol.com . Next schedule: Paula McNabb, 274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net. The meeting place for each hike will be designated by the hike leader and will appear in the hike description. Driving mileage will be listed, round trip, from the first designated meeting place.

Hi Guys, I have just emerged after 6 days in the Smokies. It was really exciting to hike some of the great trails there. Here is the account.

Sunday, Aug. 24. Mary deposited me at Mountain Mama’s, where I had left off on Friday afternoon. I had decided not to do the AT from the Pigeon River but rather the Big Creek and Camel Gap Trails. I am now totally convinced this is the correct route for the Loop. Most of you know the Big Creek and the beautiful stream there, but probably not Camel Gap. It is 4.1 miles and runs for most of its length along the upper reaches of Big Creek, which are nicer than the lower ones. It also has great views back toward Mt. Sterling. Furthermore, for the info of all, this route is absolutely the easiest way to get from the 2000 ft. level at Pigeon River up to the 6000 ft. level of Tricorner Knob Shelter. Just as the Big Creek Trail is very gradual, the Camel Gap continues that gradualness. Moreover, once you reach the AT, the section from there on is gradual. In short, it was the easiest 4000 ft ascent I’ve ever had – at no point was it steep. Once on the AT I climbed Old Black and Guyot (don’t try to come directly down off the summit, lots of briars – we’re still trying to figure out the best way to get that mountain), then reached Tricorner Knob Shelter, to find Dave Wetmore. A really good day. 16 miles.

Monday, Aug. 25. Most on the AT. Left Tricorner, stepping on Sequoyah on the way. At Pecks corner stopped to get some water and talked to a nice couple from Slovakia ( people from everywhere now hike our mountains!). From there to Charlies Bunion is one of the most beautiful sections of the AT, an area called the Sawteeth, very narrow trail with wonderful views off in both directions. Reached Boulevard Trail, climbed Kephart (tripped on a root and banged my knee on the way up ), then back along the Boulevard to Leconte. As most of you know the Boulevard is also one of the most beautiful trails in the Smokies, esp in the upper part. As I came up to the Shelter, there was a gorgeous male deer with horns. Touched the cairn at the top of Leconte. Had pleasant evening talking to Methodist minister from TN who had studied under one of my closest friends in graduate school. 18.5 miles. Probably 19 counting the water expedition at Pecks Corner, that shelter is way down.

Tuesday, Aug. 26. Back down the Boulevard Trail, esp enjoying the rising sun as I started down. Got to the AT and passed by Newfound Gap, then on toward Clingmans Dome. Good trail, good day. At Clingmans I talked to a number of people, including some young people from Lithuania and a really nice couple from PA. Then back down to my destination, Mt. Collins Shelter. I was alone there, and there were signs all over the place about bear activity and entries in the journal about visits from a bear, so I pretty much stayed behind the cage.. About 20 miles, counting the 0.5 that the Shelter is off the AT and the 0.3 or so to get water.

Wed., Aug 27. Today’s hike was all on the AT, a repeat of what I had already done. This is the longest in-and-out on the Loop, but there is no alternative if one is to get major peaks like Leconte and Clingmans. From Tricorner, which was the base on Mon morning, you have to go about 24 miles to Clingmans and back the same as well as 5.4 in each direction to Leconte. I don’t think that this is any great problem because both routes are very beautiful and worth traversing twice. At Newfound Gap I met Mary and we enjoyed an hour or so together. She had brought me clean clothes ( though they get sweaty within an hour ) and food. This was a very tiring day. There are a numbers of peaks beyond Charlies Bunion which don’t figure on the maps but are 5500 or so ft high, and you have to get over all of them. There are at least 3 that are preliminary spurs to Sequoyah. When I finally got to Chapman, it was a pleasure to dump the pack and climb it. Dave W was there at Tricorner, along with a diversified group of good folks hiking various stretches, but if you get to that Shelter, it means you’ve done some serious walking. 21 miles

Thurs., Aug. 28. The easy day, only 12 miles, but climbing 4 of the more difficult peaks over 6000. I had the company of Dave on 3 of them, and I’m very grateful to him for being with me. We began with Tricorner, which always seems to be a problem because you can never come down the way you go up. We then took on Mark’s Knob, which has become easier because so many people have been going there lately and knocking down the brush. Dave had also developed ( as I think Cave Dog did ) a route that avoids the gap between the 2 summits and heads directly for the real summit. Anyway, we did it in 1 hr., 50 min., and I think it was the only time I’ve ever enjoyed it. Then, on down Balsam Mtn Trail to Laurel Gap Shelter. Dave had to get home that evening, so I left my pack and went up Cataloochee in a light rain. It was about an hour and a half round trip from the Shelter. I was alone at the Shelter, but it’s very beautiful there, nice setting and clean Shelter with a good water source.

Fri, Aug. 29. Came down the 4.3 miles to Pin Oak Gap. If any of you want to see what a disaster horses can do to a trail, the upper 2 miles of that is a perfect example. It’s awful. I started up Balsam Mtn Rd, when pickup with 2 Park rangers in it passed. I told them I was planning to take Polls Gap Trail, and they were emphatic against it. They said there had been no upkeep for years and that about a half mile up it became an impenetrable wall of briars and blowdown. They also said there were no plans ( money ) to restore it. This convinced me that the Loop route should not do Polls Gap Trail, but as I did, continue up the Balsam Mtn Road, which is about 8 miles from Pin Oak Gap to Heintooga Overlook. Actually the road, which is one way and a very smooth gravel, is pleasant walking, in no way steep and in many places level, with good views and beautiful woods to the left on the upside. The pavement from Heintooga to the Plotts is the 2nd major road walk on the Loop. It is desirable to break it at Soco Gap, as I did. Outsiders could stay at the motel just over the Cherokee side or walk or hitchhike into Maggie Valley for accommodations and food supply. It is 8 miles on what I think is officially called the Heintooga Ridge Road, but it is a gentle down practically all the way, then 2.5 miles on the Parkway to Soco. This road section is of course designed to be scenic, and there are really nice views to compensate for pounding the pavement. 23 miles

Well, I’m now at home enjoying Mary, decent food, and a rest. Tomorrow, Sun., I plan to tackle the Plotts, beginning at Soco, go down the gravel road from the gap between Plott Balsam and Lyn Lowry, and come home from Balsam Gap. I’ll see how I feel then whether I plunge the 4-5 days necessary to finish. I am now about ¾ thru the Loop, have been out 20 days, climbed 27 of the 40 peaks, and have gone over 350 miles. I’m somewhat sore and tired, and have lost 15 pounds (the awful camp food I eat never compensates for the energy I put out ), but this has been a great adventure and such a pleasure to hike these wonderful trails that bless our region.

Hi guys, Today, Sunday, Aug. 31, I got up all ready to go out to the Plotts. Unfortunately, my lower back was hurting any time I moved it. It must have developed as some kind of association between the strain of carrying the pack and sitting around reading yesterday. Anyway, I think the trail thru the Plotts is the worst thing to try today, with all the bending necessary to get over and under the blow down and then a long downhill. I don't think it's serious and hope to get on the trail to finish the Loop as soon as I feel more-or-less normal. The chief prerogative I am insisting as I do the Loop is to rest at home when necessary. I'll keep you informed, but I'm eager to get on to showing the Loop is doable and by any reasonably strong hiker. Tom

Hi guys, After a 3 day rest to see if my back recovered, I resumed hiking the Loop on Sept. 2.

Sept. 2. Starting at Soco Gap at 7:30 am, I walked 4.5 miles up the Parkway to Waterrock Knob Parking Area, then went to Yellow Face, returned to Waterrock, and then followed the trail across Browning to Lyn Lowry. It was as awful as ever and exceptionally badly overgrown in places. The infamous house seemed unoccupied, so I scooted past and on up to the Cross. I then went down the other awful path and on to Plott Balsam. Rather than go up the grassy woods road the last time I was there on Amy's hike and then cut up into the ridge, I noticed an opening right at the beginning of the ridge and followed a manway all the way up. There are no ribbons or other indicators on the top of Plott Balsam, but the manway stops there. I was able to follow the manway all the way down, and this convinces me that we should encourage people to go this way to keep it maintained. I noticed only 3 small ribbons on it. I then went down the woods road between Plott Balsam and Lyn Lowry. It's in good shape, but also passes a house. There were 3 old looking vehicles in the driveway, but no signs of life. It is 710 Hood Rd. ( I learned this later from a guy further down that this is the name of the road, and the number was at the beginning of the driveway ) and is secured by ADT. If we could find the owner ( he should be listed in Jackson County ) and ask his permission, this might be a way to get LL and PB by starting at the junction where one sign says "Cross" and the other "Singing Grounds." So down that road I went, ending up at Balsam Gap after about 7 miles. For the day I figure about 18.

Sept. 3. A real tough day. Starting at Balsam Gap I went up the MST from about 3500 ft. to over 6000 ft. By around 1:30 pm I was at Double Top Overlook. I was impressed with the condition of the trail, and it was evident that the crew had been doing recent trail improvement. There are a couple of sections that fortunately were recently trimmed, but need it at this time of the year because the growth is largely nettles. I then poured it on thru the afternoon because Mary was supposed to meet me at 5:00 pm at Richland Balsam Overlook. This is the section that I had tested about 6 weeks ago, and again it was in good shape, diversified, and a credit to the CMC trail maintainers. I hit the Parkway from the Nature Conservancy Access at about 4:40 and went home. I had decided not to camp out ( my original plan ) in the Nantahala Forest, just before the Nature Conservancy, to spare my back from carrying the larger pack with sleeping and cooking gear. It was a good move because my back hurt especially at the beginning, but seemed to loosen up as I walked. About 18 miles, most of it up. Sept. 4. 10 minutes before time to leave today, I decided to take today off when I heard on the radio that there were flood watches in our region. I have no desire to hike in heavy rains, esp over Reinhart. Tomorrow, Sept. 5 I have a meeting here that is important and I shouldn't miss. I'm fine, still enjoying the experience, but tired after yesterday and still a little worried about my back. However, the plan is to push on Sept. 6-8 and finish at Pisgah Parking Lot, where I began. I've now climbed 30 of the 40 peaks, and I think I'm somewhat over 400 miles. I can see the end! It's a great experience!

Tom is in the process of hiking Cave Dog's original route of 303 miles plus closing the loop by walking back on the AT from the Roan Highlands to Clingman's Dome for a total mileage of 460.

Don: Hope you are doing well. I made it to Mitchell today and I'm in Boone resting for a day before I go from Mitchell to Blowing Rock. Don, just let me say that the CMC section of the MST was GREAT, blazes were up and easy to follow. Some of the rock work I saw was incredible! I have even more respect for the CMC than ever. Trail notes: Saw some evidence of horses on the MST from French Broad to HW-25. The trail from Snowball Mountain to Craggy Picnic area could use some cutting back, as well as from the the Dougles Falls trail up to the Graybeard overlook. I got to see your sign for the Folk Art center, and yes it did help because you can easily go straight and miss the right hand turn. Live is good on my end. Off to the next section after I leave the CMC section at Black Mt. Campground. Thanks for all the CMC does! Jeff Brewer. www.trailjournals.com

Fellow MST maintainers, lets get our sections in shape for the president's visit to our glorious section of the MST! This is our chance to help make Jeff's trip through Western NC and our 130 miles of MST a most memorial experience.

We currently have several sections on the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) that would love to have a caring individual who can adopt a section of their very own. As a trail maintainer, you would be the MST's most important advocate and protector. In this role, you would become familiar with trail maintenance techniques so that you understand the big picture as you perform the simple, recurring maintenance and repairs necessary to keep the trail in good repair. One your most important duties would be the "eyes" and "ears" of your section. The section supervisors are responsible for all of the "heavy duty" work and should be contacted to perform trail work you would not feel comfortable doing.

CMC HIKING WEEKEND

Aug. 26, 2003 UPDATE

Note: Changes to the last revision are highlited in gray.

For the last weekend of September this year (Sept. 27-28), CMC has scheduled a weekend hiking trip to the Lake Fontana area.

We will stay in the Fontana Village or nearby campgrounds on Friday and/or Saturday nights, on the south side of Fontana Lake, and take the pontoon boat ferry across the lake to hike some of the trails on the north shore of Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mtns. Natl. Park.

So far 38 people have made room/cabin reservations, and another 23 have expressed interest in this trip. To get your name on the “interested” list, please e-mail Bruce Bente at bbente@cytechusa.com. We’re open to suggestions—please feel free to e-mail these too.

For anyone wishing to learn more about the history and hiking of the Fontana area, look at www.appalachianhistory.com

Details of the trip are:

Hiking:

The present issue of Lets Go lists the moderate/strenuous hikes for Saturday and Sunday.

Based on the responses to the recent e-mail, we will also have easy/moderate hikes on both Saturday and Sunday. These may be different hikes from the ones listed in Lets Go. An e-mail describing the planned hikes will be listed in the CMC Newsletter in about 2 weeks.

In addition, Fontana Village has 20 miles of trails around the village for those who want to hike nearby.

Entertainment:

The Mountain Memories group will conduct a square dance Saturday night in the Fontana Village Recreation Hall from 7:30 – 11:00 PM. We will have the option of dancing for $8, or watching for free.

Lodging:

Fontana Village will give discounted rates for CMC attendees.

Attendees should make their reservations directly with Fontana Village

(1-800-849-2258), and ask for the CMC rate.

Fontana Village offers a range of accommodations. They have quoted the following rates for CMC attendees:

•hostel-type beds: (bare bed frames, no mattress, with kitchen) (approx. $15/night—

A rate was not negotiated for this.)

•Camp Cabins: 2BR, 1BA, with kitchen (without bed linens or kitchen utensils) ($43/night/cottage)

•Dogwood Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen (with bed linens and kitchen utensils) ($58/night/cottage)

•Laurel Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen, with bed linens, utensils, TV, air cond.)

($75/night/cottage)

Azalea Cottage: 2 or 3 BR, 2BA with kitchen, bed linens, utensils, TV/VCR, air cond. ($145/night/cottage for 3BR)

•Fontana Inn: 2 double beds ($58/night/room)

•Campground with hookup ($18/night/campsite)

•Campground w/o hookup ($13/night/campsite)

There are also campgrounds as follows:

•Campground next to Little Tennessee River (See quoted rate above)

•Cable Cove Campground five miles from Fontana Village ($8/night/campsite)

CMC will have use of the outdoor swimming pool and other Fontana Village facilities. Mountain bikes and horses are available for rental.

Please look at their website www.fontanavillage.com for more information.

Meals:

Meals are available at Fontana Village at either the restaurant in the Lodge (breakfast approx. $7.50; supper $9.50/person buffet), or the Fontana Village Cafe. They will prepare trail lunches for $6 if requested.

We plan to make reservations at the restaurant in the Lodge for 7pm Saturday night, so CMCers can eat together and exchange stories about the day’s hikes.

Transportation:

The driving time to Fontana from Asheville is about 2 hours via I 40 – US 23/74 – NC 28.

Ferry service across Lake Fontana is available from the Marina, near Fontana Dam. The 15-minute ride across to the hike trailhead will cost about $12-20 per person (round trip), depending on the number of passengers and the time of return.

The Marina opens at 8:00AM, and the last scheduled pickup for return is 3:30pm. However, they will pickup as late as 5:30pm, for an extra charge of $40/boat for overtime. (for example, 15 people, round trip, returning at 5:30pm, would cost $14/person.)

The Saturday all-day hike is scheduled to return by boat at 5:30pm, and the Sunday all-day hike will hike back across Fontana Dam.

SATURDAY No. A0303-246 Aug. 30, Around Coffee Pot Mountain, 8:00 AM, Hike 7.5, Drive 40, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B, Neal Andreae, 698-2546 nandreae@gowebway.com We’ll circle Coffee Pot Mtn., by hiking up Trace Ridge Trail to Beaver Dam Gap on the BRP and returning on the Spencer Branch Trail, with a look at the Hendersonville Reservoir. Second meeting place at North Mills River Recreation area parking lot at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.

ALL DAY No. A0303-247 Aug. 31 Blueberry hike, 8:00 AM, Hike 8, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C, Jorge Munoz, One of the secrets to good berry picking is not letting other people know where you’re going. We will pick in an area bordering the Shining Rock Wilderness, and with luck you will fill your containers. Also bring rain gear. Topo: Shining Rock

Post Hike Report: Ten lucky Blueberry pickers were delighted to be lead to the most prolific berry patch in the Shining Rock area. The where is a secret, if I told you...well you know what I would have to do. Jorge, our leader promised we would find blueberries and I know myself would not have wanted to pick anymore as I had to carry them 5 miles to the car. We did get rained on for about 30 minutes on the way back to the cars. It was a beautiful day and lots of people in the Shining Rock area.

HALF DAY, No. 8078, Aug. 31, Dupont State Forest, 1:30 PM, Hike 4-5, Drive 70+, Rated C-C, RustyBreeding - 692-0359 bree@planetusa.net Leader will meet group beside Bi-Lo, Pisgah Forest, at 2:00 PM. We'll climb the trail to Triple Falls and High Falls, then it's an easy walk to the pretty Lake Dense. We may do a little additional discovering, and if that's not enough we'll take in Hooker Falls after we get back to the cars.

Post Hike Report: The Sunday afternoon August 31 hike was the hike that wasn't. The deluge started before we got to the Hooker Falls parking lot/trailhead and three out of four said they'd rather not take a chance on the slick muddy trail. (The fourth was carpooling with them so didn't have a choice). The leader decided to cancel the hike. The downpour continued for two hours. Rusty

ALL DAY, No. 8066, September 3, Hump Mountain, 8:30 A.M., Hike 8, Drive 130, Rated B-A, Tom Marshall, 645-7249. We'll hike from Roaring Creek Road to Yellow Mountain Gap, and then along an open ridge on the AT to Hump Mountain, a grassy bald at 5,587 ft. Great views of the Highlands. Meeting place: McDonalds at the 25/70 Weaverville Exit. Topos: Carver's Gap, White Rocks Mountain, TN.

Post Hike Report: Our annual Wednesday hike to Hump Mountain was led by Ames Tryon, subsituting for Tom Marshall. Tom is home recovering from a lightning strike, which occurred in his backyard. Ten hikers joined Ames on the hike to the top of Hump Mountain for lunch, and then a return to the cars. We encountered masses of lovely wildflowers along the trail, including Snake Root, Joe-Pye-Weed, and Jewel Weed. The views on the bald appeared and disappeared, with some fog and cloud cover.

ALL DAY, No. 8065, August 27, Blueberry Hike, 10:15 A.M., Hike 6, Drive 0, Rated B-C, Ken & Carol Deal, 281-4530 kmcdeal@aol.com A second hike will leave for the picking grounds from the Big Sam parking lot, meeting there at 10:15. Call Ken or Carol for reservations for this hike.

Post Hike Report: Two separate hikes left from the Big Sam parking lot for Grassy Cove Top to pick blueberries on Wednesday, August 27th. Since we were picking in the Shining Rock Wilderness, the limit for each group was 10 hikers. Fred Chaffee led the first group and reported that each hiker picked a gallon of blueberries. The 2nd group of ten hikers, led by Ken & Carol Deal, left the Big Sam parking lot at 10:15, and these hikers found the blueberries plentiful also. The weather was a little cloudy, which made the picking time pleasant, and we avoided rain until we returned to the cars.

ALL DAY No. 8063 August 20, AT Hike Brown Gap to 8:30 A.M., Snowbird and return, Hike 11, Drive 45, Rated A-AA, Curt Holladay, 628-9477, caholady@bellsouth.net An in and out AT hike. We will start at Brown Gap and ascend Harmon Den Mountain, then descend to Deep Gap. From Deep Gap there is a steep ascent to the top of Snowbird. After lunch on Snowbird we’ll return to Brown Gap. Estimated cumulative climb, 2900 feet. Only meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop on NC 209, Exit 24 off I-40.

Post Hike Report: Ten seasoned hikers met at the Pilot Truck Stop (Exit 24, I-40) and drove on to Brown Gap via I-40 and Cold Springs Rd (Exit 7). We were on the Trail at 9:15, The slope up Harmon Den Mt begins immediately to Hawks Roost side trail in about a half mile but a prevailing mist at the higher reaches severely limited visibility. The 2.5 mile descent down to Deep Gap consists of a series of ridges and valleys, signaling a challenging return trip. We passed the side trail to the Ground Hog Creek Shelter at 2.9 miles, the bottom of Deep Gap and began the 1360 foot climb over a distance of 2.6 miles to Snowbird Mt. This stretch of the hike was a steady climb in rather harsh hiking conditions with the temperature in the low eighties and high humidity. Taking regular water breaks we worked our way to the tower at the top right at noon and to a most welcome rest and lunch.

The return to Brown Gap started with the long descent to Deep Gap, just the therapy that we needed after the climb to Snow Bird. Then the climb to Harmon Den Mt in heat of the day proved to be a real test for all of us. But like "mad dogs and Englishmen" we strove on to reach Brown Gap a few minutes after 3:00. Without exception all the hikers seemed tired but in good spirits.

This hike would be more enjoyable during cooler weather. The trail was in good condition, well-maintained with a few exceptions. Two tree tops which had fallen across the trail at two separate locations required a little extra effort to work through. Also in the cleared area including the trail at the top of Snow Bird has been grown over with weeds over head high, making for rather unpleasant hiking. Curt